Suture winding device and methods of use thereof

Abstract

A suture winding device is provided that includes a holder and a base having a needle holder for receiving a needle with a quantity of attached suture attached thereto. A plurality of rods is disposed on the base that may be arranged in one or more arrays. The plurality of rods at contribute to the alignment of a retainer disposed on the base that includes first and second members that may be joined together using pressure and/or heat. Prior to joining the first and second members of the retainer, the base may be rotated to form loops of suture around the arrays of rods.

1. An apparatus for winding a suture comprising:
 a support member; 
 a base member attached to the support member and defining a longitudinal axis, the base member being movable through a plurality of positions and including a plurality of rods such that the suture may be sequentially disposed about the plurality of rods as the base member is moved through the plurality of positions; and 
 a holder associated with the support member, the holder being configured to releasably engage the suture such that a predetermined amount of tension may be applied thereto. 
 
   
   
     2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the holder is repositionable between a first position and at least one subsequent position such that the suture may be oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis of the base member to define a desired angle therebetween. 
   
   
     3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rods are configured in an arcuate arrangement. 
   
   
     4. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the arcuate arrangement defines at least one array. 
   
   
     5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base member is configured to receive a suture package. 
   
   
     6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the suture package is configured to releasably receive at least one needle, the suture extending from an end of the at least one needle. 
   
   
     7. The apparatus of  claim 6 , further including a needle holder disposed between the first array and at least one additional array. 
   
   
     8. The apparatus of  claim 7  further including a mounting member disposed atop the base member, the needle holder being releasably engagable with mounting member. 
   
   
     9. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the needle holder includes a plate having a plurality of buttons disposed thereon. 
   
   
     10. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the buttons are arranged to define at least one channel, the at least one channel being adapted to releasably engage a needle, the suture extending from the needle. 
   
   
     11. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the plate includes a post, a needle guide, and an end member, the post and the end member being spaced apart to define a suture channel therebetween that is configured to releasably receive the suture. 
   
   
     12. A method of winding a suture comprising the steps of:
 providing a winding apparatus including:
 a support member; 
 a base member attached to the support member and defining a longitudinal axis, the base member being movable through a plurality of positions and including a plurality of rods such that the suture may be sequentially disposed about the plurality of rods as the base member is moved through the plurality of positions; and 
 a needle holder associated with the base member, the needle holder being adapted to releasably receive a needle, the suture extending from the needle; 
 
 positioning the needle within the needle holder; 
 orienting the suture about the plurality of rods; 
 positioning a first member of a retainer package about the needle and the suture; 
 moving the base member through its plurality of positions such the suture defines a plurality of loops; 
 positioning a second member of the retainer package atop the first member of the retainer package; and 
 joining the first and second members of the retainer package. 
 
   
   
     13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of providing a winding apparatus includes providing a winding apparatus including a holder associated with the support member and configured to releasably engage the suture. 
   
   
     14. The method of  claim 13 , further including the step of positioning the suture within the holder prior to moving the base member through its plurality of positions.